Community Legal Education (CLE)
About Community Legal Education
YAC’s Community Legal Education (CLE) Officer works with young people aged 10 to 18, while also providing training to youth workers.
CLE activities provide young people with the information they need about their legal rights and responsibilities to engage with the law safely and make informed decisions. YAC runs its CLE sessions wherever young people are, including schools, community organisations, and youth detention centres.
In recognition of the important role youth workers play in the lives of their clients, YAC’s CLE program also includes delivering sessions to workers to assist them in effectively supporting young people.
Youth education visits and presentations
The CLE Officer can attend schools, youth agencies and organisations across Brisbane to provide information so that young people better understand the law, and how it applies to them.
The most popular workshop – known as our ‘party talk’ –focuses on the most common ways young people come into contact with the law and provides legal information on an array of topics including parties, drugs, alcohol, police, and consent.
Other presentation topics include cyber safety, things to know when engaging with police, law reform in Queensland, and the youth justice system.
Youth Worker education and courses
The CLE Officer can also provide information and training to workers who engage with young people as part of their role - youth workers, teachers, school guidance officers, etc.
YAC’s most popular training for youth workers is the two-day Laying Down the Law workshop, which provides information on workers’ legal responsibilities, the child protection system, the Childrens Court, and being a support person in police interviews.
The workshop also introduces a multidisciplinary decision-making framework that will assist workers in resolving complex scenarios likely to arise in their day-to-day practice. This program is delivered by the CLE Officer and YAC’s Youth and Court Support Coordinator.
Laying Down the Law
The Laying Down the Law program is an extremely informative and powerful course for Youth Workers in Queensland. To learn more visit our Laying Down the Law page.
Why we deliver legal education
YAC understands that it can be difficult to avoid getting into trouble with the law when you don’t know what the law is. Making the law more accessible by educating young people about their legal rights and responsibilities is therefore a key priority for YAC.
Empowering young people with greater knowledge about the law allows them to make more informed decisions. It will also aid in their ability to engage more effectively with police and other law enforcement officials.
CLE also functions as a myth-busting exercise, helping to combat misinformation that may be present within the community, or passed on from friends and family.
Similarly, given how closely youth workers work with their young clients, it is essential for them to have a comprehensive understanding of the key laws and responsibilities that affect their work, allowing them to provide the best support possible.
Community Legal Education presentations
YAC has a range of CLE presentations available, with the topics informed by the most common ways young people come into contact with the law. Other presentations may also be available upon request depending on the resources required and capacity of the CLE Officer.
Topics include:
- Young people’s rights when dealing with police
- Party Talk – covers the law regarding partying, drugs, alcohol, driving, and more
- Cyber safety
- Law reform in Queensland
- The Youth Justice System
- Laying Down the Law – youth worker training
Book an education session
Content
Cost
Bookings
Contact YAC
Street address: Level 4, 16 Peel Street, South Brisbane Q 4101
Mailing address: Level 4, 16 Peel Street, South Brisbane Q 4101
Tel: (07) 3356 1002
Bussiness hours: 9am - 5pm, Mon - Fri
If you need urgent assistance outside of these hours:
- Youth Legal Advice Hotline 1800 527 527 (Mon to Thurs 8am - 9pm, Friday 8am to Sunday 5pm)
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 (24/7, 365 days per year)
- Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7, 365 days per year)
- Homelessness Hotline 1800 474 753 (24/7, 365 days per year)
- If you are over 18, and seeking access to Mental Health Services in Queensland, Acute Care Team on 1300 MHCALL (1300 64 2255).
